If the history of modern China was written as a novel its author would be accused of losing touch with reality. During the twentieth century, China witnessed the collapse of a centuries-old imperial system, two revolutions, foreign occupation and civil war, the introduction of a radical form of communism under Mao Zedong, the retreat from communism following the death of Mao and the adoption of capitalist style economic reforms, albeit still under the auspices of a nominally communist ruling party. China has started the twenty-first century much as it started the last – in a state of transition and flux. Home to around a quarter of the world’s population, the implementation of post-Mao economic reforms has made China one of the fastest growing economies in the world. As China’s military expenditure increases and economy expands, many believe that China will emerge as the next leading superpower, eclipsing the United States some time during the next decade or so. Others predict that China is on the brink of collapse, implosion and disaster with hundreds of millions currently out of work, gross social and economic inequality and rampant official corruption.  

 

This course seeks to understand China’s rise, but first we consider how China got to where it is today, and its domestic dynamics with an emhasis on the mainland China in the contempoary era. In term 1, this module will examine the domestic aspect of Chinese politics including China under Mao, elite politics, democratization, political legitimacy, and economic development. Will China become a democracy? Why does the one-party system in China thrive? How does the communist party achieve economic opening while maintaining the authoritarian rule politically? Are we witnessing the coming collaspe of the Chinese Commnist Party?  

 

In term 2, this course seeks to understand China’s rise with a focus on its foreign relations. The “rise of China” is proving to be one of the most important developments of the early 21^st century. It is widely believed that China will (or even has already) replace the US to become the next leading superpower. In purchasing power parity terms, China has already replaced the US to become the largest world economy since 2014. Many argue that a rising China and a declining US will be engaged in security competition with considerable potential for war. Others argue that given its economic and political openness, the current international order is well able to accommodate China’s peaceful rise. What are the implications of China’s emergence as a global power? Can China rise peacefully? What are China’s global ambitions? Will China overthrow the exiting international order, or become a part of it? How to deal with the rise of China? The course will enable students to understand China’s domestic politics and Chinese foreign policy.